(http://www.channelstv.com/home/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Iranian-importer.jpg)The Federal High Court sitting in Lagos today ((http://www.channelstv.com/home/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Iranian-importer-300x190.jpg) (http://www.channelstv.com/home/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Iranian-importer.jpg)Tuesday) failed to deliver judgment in the trial of an Iranian and a Nigerian charged with "unlawful importation of firearms and explosives into the country". Presiding Justice Okechukwu Okeke, who said he was yet to complete writing his judgment, fixed the 13th of May to deliver the judgment. The accused persons, Azim Aghajani an Iranian, and Ali Jega, a Nigerian stood trial on a five-count charge of unlawful importation of firearms and explosives into Nigeria. They both pleaded not guilty to the charges. The Director of Prosecution in the Federal Ministry of Justice, Mrs Olufemi Fatunde had told the court that the accused persons were apprehended by officers of the Nigeria Customs Service on July 17, 2010. The offence carries a minimum sentence of 10 years imprisonment. Russian Sailors Case Re-assigned In yet another case involving 15 Russian sailors charged with unlawful importation of arms to Nigeria, Justice Okeke announced in court today that the case had been re-assigned to another judge, Justice James Tsoho for trial. Justice Okeke said the transfer was due to the fact that he might not be able to conclude the case by the 18th 0f may when he is due to retire. The case will begin "de novo'' (afresh) before the new judge. The DPP however told the court that not all the 15 Russians were apprehended on board the vessel which the unlawful arms were found. She said that those arrested in the vessel would be differentiated from others before the next judge, because not all of them will be prosecuted. The defendants are charged together with their vessel, MV Myre Seadiver, on four-counts bordering on unlawful importation of firearms as well as non-declaration of the content of the vessel. They have however, pleaded not guilty to the charges and have currently been admitted on bail and released to the Russian Ambassador in Nigeria.
Via: ChannelsTV